Monday, March 28, 2016

I will be taking a break for a couple days. Thank you for all that visit me and comment. It always makes me feel special. I will be back but I need to focus on some other areas in my life at the moment and I am finding it difficult to keep up with certain things.

I pray you will revisit and stay connected when I return. It will not be long! I hope you all have a good week.

The post title above is because some things have happened that was not "planned" and it is taken a lot of my energy and strength.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

I pray you all have a lovely day and celebrate the goodness of the sweet Lord. I am! I am so very thankful He saved me and drew me to a relationship with Him. Nobody greater! Nobody Greater! Nobody Greater than HIM!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Hello friends! I hope you all are having a good week. I have had a good week so far. I am not getting really anything accomplished other than daily things and that is okay. I worked hard the last few weeks and to be honest my body, soul, and heart needed some basics and "happy"!

Here are some "happy" photos taken over my mother's visit, and during this week.

This is our read aloud right now! We loves James Herriot! This book is so delightful!

Easter Goodies my mother left and "demanded" we not open until Easter. *Smiles*

My mother and I went to the historic part of my town and browsed at shops. It was fun!

My mother having way too much fun posing! She was being silly! I love we can let your guard down and have some silly fun! Nothing beats laughter!

We visited a historic old book store that had all kinds of goodies new and old. Antique books! And Tasha Tudor work. It was very sweet looking. I will say though, not the most friendliest staff which is super sad! Because this could be a little gem of a place to visit if you were made to fill like a guest.

I made a mix of Italian Bread crumbs to coat my chicken to make Parmesan Chicken. I Used plain crumbs (that is what I had), garlic powder, parsley, parmesan, salt, pepper and MY FRIENDS the chicken was FABO!

I am just finishing this week out. I have lots of things that should be done but honestly I am just embracing each day and being "intentionally slow" but I am also fighting laziness. *Smiles*

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Will Marie break free from her past? Will Seth let go of his hurt and begin to trust again? Two people put in a divine path to learn to trust, and build their lives all over again.
Marie Carrington is broke, desperate, and hoping to find sanctuary on Prince Edward Island while decorating a renovated bed-and-breakfast. Seth Sloane moved three thousand miles to help restore his uncle's Victorian B and B and to forget about a woman who broke his heart. He wasn't expecting to babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her.

The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in two months will take everything they got and they have to find a way to work together. In the process, they may find something sweeter than they ever imagined on this island of dreams.

My Review

This is the first book I have ever read by Liz Johnson. I was inspired to sign up for it because the story is based on the ever dreamy Prince Edward Island. I will say this book was a good read. I enjoyed getting to know the main Characters and their lives and their personalities that make this book come alive. I thought that Liz Johnson did a good job making you find out if Marie would ever break out of her pattern of Anxiety attacks which trigger because of a horrible attack that took place in her life.

There were a lot of bumps and I loved seeing how the bumps got smoothed out. It seem like the book took a little bit to get into and then it took a long time to see any major excitement and the sad part is it all happen in the last chapter. Everything felt slow and then too jammed pack in the end to really experience it. It also left you hanging.

Although there is some faith building that takes place in this book it really doesn't go deep into their personal experiences in God other than very generic brief moments. I will be honest I like the book and thought it was a sweet read but it did seem to take a long time for the events to build. It has 24 chapters and all 22 to 23 is about Marie trying to move forward and then everything ends in the 24th chapter and it just seemed to squeezed in and open ended.

Liz Johnson fell in love with Prince Edward Island the first time she set foot on it. When she is not plotting her next trip to the island, she works as a full-time marketing manager. She is the author of nine novels, a New York Times bestselling novella, and a handful of short stories. She makes her home in Nashville, TN.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

I shared this verse last week but it is just lingering in my mind and heart. I love when that happens. I always feel my hope and faith rise when I have a Word that keeps coming to my heart over and over. I believe that is a specific word God is impressing on me for a reason and this verse is encouraging because I would rather have God the maker or heaven and earth on my side and be my help. I know that with Him all things are possible.

"Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." ~ Psalm 124:8

How powerful is that?! How encouraging is this?!

I mean when you think of the creation around us, the beauty of it, the depth of it, the mysteries of the making of the Earth and Heavens and that CREATOR is on OUR SIDE and is OUR HELP.....WOW!!!!

I have been thinking of this bird called the Lark. There are several types of larks and most our in the Old World and only one type of Lark is in North America.

I got to thinking of this bird because my daughter and I have been watching an older series called Lark Rise to Candleford. Which is a wonderful wholesome series that my daughter and I have enjoyed so much. Anyway, they mention the Larks quite often and the music they make at dawn and how beautiful it is. Then in some of my devotions and readings of late I have read quotes from historical preachers mentioned these Larks at times. They encourage to be as a Lark at daybreak unto the Lord. Because the Lark's sing beautifully at daybreak.

Singing and Making Melody in our hearts unto the Lord. I know that is what those little Lark's are doing. God created these magnificent birds that are known to have one of the most beautiful sounds in bird sounds. That God who created that tiny little creature also created me and HE IS OUR HELP!

I know this all sounds really out there...but I wanted to encourage us see a bigger picture than what we see now. His eye is on the sparrow and I know HE watches US!

And because of that we can sing because we are happy, we can sing because we are free. Free from worries, free from fear, free from bondage, because HE IS OUR HELP! If he cares about birds...HE CARES ABOUT US!

There are several neat videos that come up of Lark Birds and there songs. Google them if you have a chance. Let us sing and make melody in the LORD!

What can you sing about today? I am singing because I am thankful for His Love for me! What about you?

Monday, March 21, 2016

Hello everyone! I had a lovely visit with my mother. We had so much fun. Laughter, shopping, eating, and staying up way too late. I am tired as all get out. I am spending this day being "Intentionally Slow". We did school, laundry, basic chores, and such. House is in order, and supper is planned. We plan to do hamburger steaks, potatoes, and a veggie.

I got a lot done last week although I felt a little overwhelmed by the end of the week I am thankful things were accomplished. I am still working on BLESSING OUR HOME for the MARCH Challenge. I just kind of lost track of counting days because I don't do things on Sunday's or days that are super "Kid Busy". I will say though I have gotten a lot of the things I have been eager to do for months now. It feels like a load lifted.

This month I told you all I wanted to tackle my children's rooms. I have gotten Hannah's all finished, organized, and complete. I plan to spend the next two weeks tackling the boys. It probably won't take that but because I will be caring for a Brother In Law who will have surgery this week, Easter Prepping, and life I figured I needed a realistic time set.

I pray you all are well. Do you have any goals for the remainder of March you plan to accomplish?
Blessings,
Chrissy

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

I have to be honest I have been super tired this week. I am not sure if it is the time change or what but I have had a hard time getting motivated to move in the mornings. But I pray ever morning for God to give me strength and energy for the day and for Him to order my steps.

Welcome Friends!!!!!!

Ya'll know what?! He has done just that. I am amazed at the end of the day exactly all God has done for me and the strength He blessed me with to get things accomplished. I am tired at the end of the day. That real good tired!!! Tired from working and blessing our home and family.

Let's sit and have some Tea!

Psalm 124:8 "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

This was my morning reading today and tears swelled in my heart because I can testify to the above!!! God is our HELP!! No thing is too small or too big for Him. If you care about it...He cares about it too!

Getting ready to plant!

Fig tree is getting ready!!!!

On a different note we are preparing for my mother's arrival. She is visiting with us this weekend. She has a long travel. I am excited to see her and the kids are ready to see their Nana!!! I plan to do a few special things for her arrival. I can only say this it has something to do with Lemons, Baskets, and a goody!

Ya'll have any scriptures you would like to share that helps you when you are tired, overwhelmed, or burdened?! I would love to hear them.
Love you all,
Chrissy T

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Hey friends! It has been super busy in our home with Spring kicking in. We are busy cleaning, sprucing, decluttering, and so on. I am finding it a little difficult to get on here right now. But once I get some of these big chores done I will take a rest and enjoy catching up on blogs and posting regular here.

I shared a picture of our Creamed Corn Cornbread last week. Here is the recipe. This is super yummy.

Mix all and bake in 9 by 13 greased pan for 20 minutes on 400. I bake mine on 375 because of the way my oven cooks. So, I would set your timer for 15 minutes and keep a check until you figure what works for you.

Serve up with any dish. Yummy! You could also top it with salsa, and sour cream! Or just plain.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

"No artist's work is so high, so noble, so grand, so enduring, so important for all time, as the making of the character in a child." ~ Charlotte Cushman

"To marry and have children is the ideal life for a woman. What career could ever be as fine? To give the world splendid men and women ...isn't that the noblest thing a woman could possibly do?"
~ Jessie Willcox Smith

"A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of home happiness. God sends many beautiful things to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is richer than that which He bestows in a mother who has learned love's lessons well, and has realized something of the meaning of her sacred calling."
~ J.R. Miller, Secrets of Happy Home Life

"Mothers who recognize the value of homemaking see that there is an art to it. A mother builds a happy home brick by brick, laid upon strong moral principles." ~quote from the book, Queen of the Home

Home is more than just delcluttering, organizing, cleaning, and so forth. Those things are important but the MOST important thing in building a Godly Orderly Home is investing in the lives in the home. That truly makes a home. ~ Chrissy Townsend

Friday, March 11, 2016

Hello everyone! I have not drowned in clutter yet!!! I am so thankful! It really hasn't been too bad due to our recent move. It is amazing how quick clutter can accumulate once you "declutter". It really has to be an ongoing plan to check and take care of it. I see now the purpose of "Flylady's" Boogie Fling and all that "jazz" she does to keep clutter at bay.

I did find that I was more motivated to "Bless our Home" while I have been decluttering. It has been super rainy here. So, I made a big pot of homemade chicken and dumplings, green beans, and creamy corned corn bread. I found some tulips on sale already in the pot for $3. I had a simple beautiful setting for us one evening for supper.

I got all that I mentioned accomplished this week. I feel so relieved. Here are some areas I did and tasks that I have been putting off now marked off the mental to do list.

I weeded through my closet and donated 2 bags of clothes I no longer wear

I cleaned my bedroom drawers out

I made the Eye Dr appointment for my son

Got the van's tires and oil changed (Husband did this)

Got Lexi (our dog) to the vet to get her ear's checked. She has an ear infection and I had been trying home remedies but it was not working.

Rain! Rain! Rain! Rain!

Took the kids to the park. Took the kids skating!

Bought a fern, a few flowers, and spiffed the deck up

Organized Bill, File, and Information Holder

Ordered Checks

Ordered address labels

Half way read a book I am reviewing for Bethany Publishing

I went to the gym finally (2 times) but hey it is a start!!!

Making Dumplings

Cleaned off a table that was just collecting dust and donated it

Got our library cards!!!! YAY!

Took ALL the bags that came out of our closets, drawers, cabinets, and such to the donation center

I am very pleased with what was accomplished this week. I will say though we did take Spring Break so my kids only read this week. The weather on the most part was beautiful and my kids played outside a lot. This helped me be able to do all these things.

Hannah's creation!!!

Just in case you think my week was perfect or I was supermom I promise we had our bumps and bruises. But I did find time to make beauty, slow down, clean out, and freshen up. I feel a liberty. It is refreshing!!!

Welcome to Keeping Home! A Little Space to Journal Our Days!

Our Blessings!

Laine's Letters...HOPE for the Homemaker!!!

In 2007 when I began my journey of studying the role of Proverbs 31 I came across the best thing that has helped me as a young mom learning her role as a Wife, Mom, and Homemaker. All these years later I cling to the words of Laine. She no longer writes (that I know of) but her archives of her letters, "In the Home" help, and recipes are located here. Please visit this if you are in need of help, hope, and direction for your role in the home.
Laine's Letters!